You Light Up My Life Songwriter Commits Suicide Ahead of Sex Crimes Trial

05/24/2011.

(Gibson) The Oscar-winning composer who penned the song "You Light Up My Life," one of the biggest pop songs of the 20th Century, has committed suicide.

Joseph Brooks was facing a mountain of legal troubles, including awaiting trial on 82 counts of various alleged sex crimes. He was 73.

Joseph Brooks shot to prominence in 1977 thanks to his song, "You Light Up My Life," which was originally recorded by Kasey Cisyk for the romantic comedy, You Light Up My Life, starring Didi Conn. Debbie Boone was hired to record the single, and her version shot to the top of the charts on its way to taking home an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, as well as earning Boone the Grammy for Best New Artist. more on this story